Beyond the Cradle of mankind, the universe is vast, unknown, dangerous to the unwary…or those caught in the path of intrepid explorers proceeding without forethought.Thirteen authors explore what it is to pioneer the future in tales fraught with danger and remorse, tempered with hope, luck, and serendipity. We face the monsters. We face the truth. We face ourselves.Whether the frontier is that of science or space, there is no doubt that at some point one must ask …If we had...

*** From the Archives ***Stories by Mike McPhail and Danielle Ackley-McPhail based on the 1986-96 military science fiction role-playing game The Alliance Archives.By the late 21st century, humanity has final reached for the stars and established an off-world colony in the system of Tau Ceti, only to discover that man's greatest enemy is still man.On the colony world of Demeter, ADF power-armored troopers and their Parr scouts fight a desperate, covert war against in...

The embers of War still glow as memories of strange skies over an alien landscape, light-years from home, bring back the sensations of battle; a time when personal sacrifice meant the difference between salvation for all, or total destruction.Gathered here is a cross-section of stories from the first decade of the award-winning Defending The Future series. Written by the known and up-and-coming in the military science fiction genre, these stories represent the fan-requested highlig...

Hardcore Negotiations Have Begun!Now awakened from its decade-long sleep-refurbished and reassigned-Breach the Hull rejoins the fight. The founding book in the Defending the Future series once again lets loose the dogs-of-war on an unsuspecting universe...With Stories By:John C. Wright, Mike McPhail, James Daniel Ross, John C. Wright, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, James Chambers, Jeffrey Lyman, John G. Hemry, Bud Sparhawk, Lawrence M. Schoen, Bud Sparhawk, Patrick Thomas...

The plan had been to un-man the battlespace, replacing flesh and blood with steel and carbon fiber. Machines, both remote-controlled and autonomous A.I.s, would fight and be destroyed in the name of freedom; sparing the troops at the cost of the nation's treasure.However, as with any arms race, the opposing side's technology eventually catches ups to yours, resulting in the need to put lives back in harm’s way on the frontline; to deal with, and adapt to the unknown, as only humans...

When fire and steel meet flesh and bone, a soldier learns a hard truth: you’re not fighting for Glory and Honor, but for survival, for you and your comrades, and you will be damned if you’re going to leave any of them behind.Join us for twelve tales of military heroism and courage in the face of a hostile enemy.With stories by Brenda Cooper, Bud Sparhawk, David Sherman, Robert E. Waters, Jeff Young, James Chambers, Lisanne Norman, Robert Greenberger, Aaron Rosenberg, Christ...

Animals have fought for us for centuries, not because of the ideals of service to King and Country, but out of unwavering loyalty and devotion to their human Masters.The future, it would seem, is no better than the past, as some animals become expendable weapons or augmented semi-machines, while others receive the honor and dignity of being treated as fellow soldiers.In tribute, we bring you seventeen stories of our animal comrades-in-arms.

Experience the Human Cost of War!It has been said that "Generals always prepare to fight the last war," this whilst others learn from history, innovate, and adapt, giving them-for a time-the upper hand. But is that enough to win the war?With Stories By:Charles E. Gannon, John C. Wright, James Daniel Ross, Jonathan Maberry, James Chambers, Patrick Thomas, Andy Remic, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Charles E. Gannon, Jeffrey Lyman, Jack Campbell, Mike McPhail, Bud Sparhawk,...

This Is No Longer a Standup Fight!Suit Up! Diplomacy has failed, and the war is far from over; we need to find a less costly avenue to victory, or at least an acceptable path to our survival.With Stories By:James Chambers, Bud Sparhawk, Jeff Young, Mike McPhail, Andy Remic, Charles E. Gannon, Peter Prellwitz, Jeffrey Lyman, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Robert E. Waters, James Daniel Ross, Patrick Thomas, C.J. Henderson, John G. Hemry, and David Sherman

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No (battle) plan survives contact with the enemy. Winning a war has never been just a cold collection of numbers on a tally sheet. The Faiths always play their part in fifteen stories exploring when things go wrong. With stories by James Chambers, Nancy Jane Moore, Maria V. Snyder, Jack Campbell (John G. Hemry), Bud Sparhawk, Peter Prellwitz, John L. French, Jeff Young, Keith R.A. DeCandido, David Sherman, Jeffrey Lyman, Judi Fleming, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Eric V. Hardenbrook, and CJ He...

As a viper, she's no stranger to death. As a sister, she'll do anything to protect her kin.Kate Richmond has seen it all. The former army ranger and ISS operative has engaged in missions of sabotage, cyber theft, espionage, and assassination on her path to become a viper cyborg. After barely surviving a full-scale incursion by the Merkiaari, she doubts life can hold anymore surprises, until a family mystery lands on her doorstep.Her brother has been linked ...